The dead bodies found every day in towns and villages across Syria bearing marks of execution style killing and torture are the grim evidence of mounting war crimes and other abuses being committed not just by government forces, but also by armed opposition groups  some but not all more or less loosely affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA)1  in the context of the countrys bitter internal armed conflict. Such groups are summarily killing people with a chilling sense of impunity, and the death toll continues to rise as more towns and villages come under the control of armed opposition groups.

2 Since March 2011, Amnesty International has closely monitored and documented the Syrian authorities crackdown on opposition and repeatedly condemned the authorities widespread as well as systematic attacks on the civilian population, which amount to crimes against humanity and, since 2012, war crimes in some instances.

3 This briefing looks at serious abuses, some amounting to war crimes, committed by the burgeoning number of armed opposition groups operating in Syria, focusing mainly on summary killings.

4 The main targets for these summary killings are members of the various government armed and security forces, the shadowy pro-government militias known as shabiha, as well as suspected informers or collaborators (widely referred to by the opposition as mukhbireen and awayniyeh). Many were civilians, including journalists working for pro-government media and members of minority communities perceived by members of armed opposition groups as loyal to President Bashar al-Assad such as Shia or Alawite Muslims, although not all members of such communities are in fact pro-government. In some cases, Amnesty International has been unable to determine which armed opposition group was responsible for particular summary killings. Several groups may have been active in the city, town, village or neighbourhood at the time of the killing. Some witnesses and relatives of victims are understandably reluctant to provide detailed information about the armed group for fear of retaliation. Verification has also been hindered by the lack of access to cities where killings are happening because of the dire security situation.

5 However, the evidence gathered by Amnesty International, and the cases it has been able to verify, leave no doubt that armed opposition groups are responsible for a large number of summary killings and other egregious crimes.

6 In addition to research conducted since the conflict began, including the examination of scores of videos showing alleged abuses by armed opposition groups since 2011, Amnesty International interviewed Syrians as well as Palestinian refugees previously resident in Syria in Lebanon in December 2012 and January 2013. They included residents of several Syrian towns and cities mainly in southern areas near Lebanon, as well as activists, citizen journalists, witnesses, survivors and relatives of victims; and followed this up with other research and interviews.

In addition to summary killings, various armed opposition groups including some affiliated to the FSA, are committing other war crimes and serious human rights abuses, including indiscriminate attacks which have led to civilian casualties; use of children in a military capacity; torture or other illtreatment of captives; sectarian threats and attacks against minority communities perceived as progovernment; abductions and the holding of hostages.

Therefore, for the sake of the Syrian people, security of the region and fight against the international terrorism it is imperative for the NATO countries to step forward and actively help the Syrian people to choose their own destiny and leaders. If President Obama would be able to find a solution for Syria that empowers the Syrian people to choose their own leaders and destiny, this will be President Barak Obamas long lasting legacy.

That’s true, even though Amnesty International is not always true. The difference between the two sides is that the Syrian government has ports and supports Iran’s nuclear weapons buildup. That’s why the U.S.A., France, Israel, the UK, the Saudis, Turkey and others are wanting to hit some equipment belonging to the Syrian government. And it’s going to happen one way or another.

18
posted on 09/01/2013 3:52:40 PM PDT
by familyop
(We Baby Boomers are croaking in an avalanche of corruption smelled around the planet.)

If that was the case their wouldn’t of been a southerner left alive. Even our country has moments that we wiped out civilain populations but they are generally looked back upon with shame, not with pride. Iraq and Afghanstan were both fought without razing entire villages, civilian casualities happen but again we do try and avoid them whenever possible. You can fight a war with out raping women and murdering children.

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.